Reporter Alison Parker and cameraman Adam Ward were shot and killed while doing a live TV interview Wednesday morning.

The following statement was issued jointly by NewsGuild, NABET and CWA:

THIS morning’s senseless tragedy in Roanoke, Va., struck close to home for the journalists and other news media workers represented by The NewsGuild-CWA and the National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians (NABET-CWA).

We are heartsick over the killings of WDBJ reporter Alison Parker and cameraman Adam Ward. Our thoughts and prayers are with their grieving colleagues, friends and families,” said CWA Secretary-Treasurer Sara Steffens. “We also pray for the recovery of Vicki Garner, the woman the journalists were interviewing, who was badly wounded.”

The threats journalists face on the job every day do not normally include their coworkers. But tragically, work-related shootings and other violence are not uncommon in the United States. Our members in the media sector and all of the Communications Workers of America are gravely concerned about this issue and committed to helping build safe workplaces.

Whatever the shooter’s motive, two young people who were looking forward to long and happy lives are gone today. We join with WDBJ, the Roanoke community and all those who loved Alison and Adam in mourning their loss.

Housekeeping – Update name of The Newspaper Guild to The NewsGuild (as per name change approved at the January 2015 TNG Sector Conference)

Bylaws Cover Page

Page 1 – Bylaws title

Page 2 – 1. INTERPRETATION – 2 changes: Clause 1.05; 1.12

BARGAINING

Proposing changes to 10.01.02; 10.01.03; 10.01.05

10.01Composition of a Collective Bargaining Committee

.01 Negotiators in collective bargaining on behalf of the ONG or any of its units shall be elected by members of the unit concerned.

.02 Each department shall be entitled to a representative on the bargaining committee. Nominations for the committee shall be made by and from the department concerned.should be made by and from the department concerned, but, in the event that no such nomination is made, nominations may be made by any member of the unit for representation of that department.

.03 A unit meeting to select bargaining committee representatives shall be scheduled. held by the members of the department. A minimum of five days notice shall be given of such meeting. Voting shall be by secret ballots cast by the members present at the meeting.

.04 In the event that a unit consists of one department only, that unit shall elect a minimum of two and a maximum of four negotiators, except where joint bargaining with another Guild unit takes place. In the event of such joint bargaining, the single-department unit shall elect the same number of negotiators as each department in the other unit or units involved in the joint bargaining, unless the Executive Committee deems it wise to permit two negotiators to be elected from the single-department unit.

.05 In the event that no member of a department is willing to accept nomination or a quorum is not available at the unit nominating meeting time and place, the Executive Committee may appoint any member to represent that department.

.06 The Executive Committee shall appoint a primary spokesperson for the bargaining committee.

10.02 Any proposed agreement arrived at in negotiations shall be submitted to CWA/SCA Canada for approval and shall be ratified by the Executive Committee of the ONG and the membership concerned before signing.

10.03 In the event of joint bargaining that includes units of the Guild and/or other unions, the units concerned may enlarge their bargaining committees to include the bargaining committees of all other units or unions involved in the joint bargaining.

This two day course is being held on Saturday May 2nd & May 9th, 2015 from 9:00am to 4:00pm in the CLC Boardroom 1st Floor, 2841 Riverside Drive, Ottawa. The cost is $50.00 per person for the meals and course materials provided at the two Saturday sessions; please make the cheque payable to “Ottawa Area Council CURC”. To register & pay to confirm your spot please contactEvert Hoogers by email: evert.hoogers@gmail.com and mail payment to: 182 Booth Street, Ottawa, ON K1R 7J4. Thank you.